Larger Than Life Video Reviews (Part III)

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Sep 21, 2099 Source: Backstreet.net readers Submitted By: From: The Stephens [alexsam@onslowonline.net] Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 1999 5:17 PM  I think that the 'Larger Than Life' video was wonderful,actually I think I enjoyed it more than any other video they have done except "As Long As You Love Me" and "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)." I love the way that the video starts out,when it sounds like the radio is switching stations and on each station there is a different BSB song. Every boy had a great part in the video...Brian is flying on a 'spaceboard' similar to the one that he was flying on at the Charlotte,NC concert on Friday night,which I went to and LOVED more than anyone there,I bet!!! Then Nick is a robot sort of thing,and he looks HOT in the robot suit,and his hair is awesome.Kevin is flying a spaceship thing,and his hair looks incredible! A.J.'s costume is the only one that I really don't get. He is this octopus thing,and all these extra arms connect to his 'spacesuit.' A.J.'s costume was the weirdest,I think. Howie looked really good in the video,but I really don't know what he was,because they did not show enough of him in the video! They only showed him for like 2 seconds and then cut him off,which I didn't like very much. Howie doesn't get much screen time in any of the videos I have noticed,and that isn't very good. I loved the dance scene at the end,the guys' moves were SO awesome,but I think that they shouldn't have 'tossed around' the female dancers so much...that wasn't very cute. All of their outfits were awesome,especially Nick's since I could see his shark tatoo on his left shoulder. (He was wearing this awesome black tank top.) An awesome video,and on a scale from 1-10, I give it an off-the-scale rating of 15!! Well done,guys,great video! Review by : Alex From: bsb_lover_111@siouxfallsmail.com Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 1999 6:12 AM O.K., I know alot of people were disappointed in the video,but I just think that's because it's not what you were expecting. You were probably expecting something all goody two shoe, but guess what! OUR BOYS HAVE GROWN UP! And about trying to include the fans in the video, don't you think they were trying to make a video for the fans, all fans, even the guy ones?Anyway, I loved the video, I didn't like it so much the first time, but I totally loved it the second time. Personally I think Brian's costume makes him look 16, which may not be a bad thing. Kevin once again gets the play the mature one running everything. Howie's was my favorite though, and he's not even my fav BSB! I loved the way he looked in his costume!! A.J.'s was way cool, purple is definately his color. and now we come to Nick. Nick's was awesome! I totally love all the little robots in the back doing the same thing as Nick, i just love that! now the dance part was awesome, I just dont understand why they had to put in Kevin wipping his nose! They all looked great(yes even A.J., all I have to say to him is it took guts to wear that shirt, and I totally love it now!).The dancing was awesome, Nick looked like he was really concentrating on it too. well that's all for me, I just have to say remember our Boys are boys, and it's about time that they make a video that they like and are into! From: Arnold Vere [aorbvere@email.msn.com] Sent: Monday, September 20, 1999 11:30 PM Hey BsB fans!!! I think some of you read my older sister’s VMA review in Part III. I hope you like her opinion as well as I did. Anyway I want you to know what I thought of the new Backstreet Boys video "Larger than Life." People don’t have to agree on what I have to say. It’s just my opinion. I thought the video was good, but I didn’t know it was going to be this good. It just blew me away. Anyway it was cool how it all started in the year three thousand AC. That would of been neat if all of the stuff in the video really happen by the way. I didn’t expect the guy "Huggy Bear" from "Backstreet’s Back" in the video. At first I didn’t recognize, but than I did. My sister thought that it was Brian until I pointed it out. The effects were just plain awesome especially the graphics. I think this is one of their best videos following "BACKSTREET’S BACK." For me this is probably a video that all you and me never expected. I like all of the boys theorys. Brian was very incredible. The way he’s flying a board and playing a game. Kevin who’s my favorite as well as my older sister Roxanne. What can I say he’s part suits him very well because you all know that he loves to fly and that’s what he’s doing in that cockpit. Nick who’s a robot also suits him well because he really knew how to move like one. A.J.’s costume was very unusual, but then also incredible it reminded me of one of the character of Spiderman (not sure of the title of the show). It goes with the video which is good. Howie was down to earth as a matter of speaking. I like how everything started to float in the middle of the video as well as A.J. and Brian. The scene with all of them dancing was just neat and creative. Fatima you "Go Girl." The dancers were very good. The part when the boys catch the girls and tossed them back was very unexpected for me. I thought the boys tossed them to hard, but of course they know what there doing. I was surprised on how guys were requesting it on TRL. Usually guys criticized. My sister even said that were going to be guys requesting the video when she saw the premiere because you know some guys likes SCI-FI and she was right. All I have to say is this concept for the second video for the "Millennium" was better than "I Want it That Way." Everybody stay safe! Peace!!! Beverly From: Scott ÆßE® [omicron_77@hotmail.com] Sent: Monday, September 20, 1999 10:57 PM First of all I LOVE the Backstreet Boys and I'm straight. Anyway, here's my take on the Larger than Life video: It wasn't that good. My main problems were the dance moves(too slow and easy), theme of the video(outer space = thank U fans?) and Howie, Brian and Nick's costuems. And also those chicks whom the director tries to pair with our Boys. Those chicks were whacked and irrelevant! Speaking of chicks, Fatima has really lost her touch. I say the guys ditch her(sorry >:-) and find a new dance instructor as well as a new director. The best parts of the video were the sound effects and special effects. And I absolutely LOVE AJ's purple octopus costume. I hove no clue whay you gals thought that costume sucked -- IT WAS WAY TOO KOOL! Alex's hair cut was much better and Kevin looked hot. Again, the space ships were da bomb in the video. And what's with Howie's mime act? In coclusion, the video was a B+ (A being "Everybody" and A+ being Korn's "Freak on a Leash"). If you want a Real Guy's opinion then there you have it. I hope you won't have any reason to fret about my critique. KTBSPAwhat ever... From: Chara Harris [ancholi@excite.com] Sent: Monday, September 20, 1999 7:01 PM I just had to send in a review of "Larger Than Life". I think it a very good video; the choreography is awesome, the special effects are good, and of course BSB look great. Here is my part by part review: The Beginning This kinda reminded of Micheal and Janet Jackson's "Scream" video, but I still thought it was cool. I liked hearing the samples of their previous songs. Brian I liked this part a lot also. I really liked it when he flipped over the girl and landed on his board. That was tight. Nick He really impressed me with his dancing; he was a lot sharper. The cloned robots of him were an interesting touch also. The best part was when he said "Looking at the crowd and I see your body sway." The breakdown with the robots during this part was awesome. A.J. Well, I am a little partial to his part because I like purple so I thought it was cool. I just do not understand what he was being connected to. Kevin Since he is my favorite, I have to say that he gets better looking in every video and this one is no exception. He looks really cute taking control of the ship and flying. Howie The sliding floor thing was cool, but what did the girl have to do with it. I think they could have left her out. I also think he could have gotten a little more camara time when compared to other guys. The Choreography Another great job by Fatima. The boys look great very together and sharp; no sloppiness. The part when they are stepping (like college fraternities) is my favorite. It looked great. Now if I may add a few comments for those who gave this video a negative review (I am not going to say names). First, I do not think the special effects takes away from BSB's own style or good looks. At least they were not wearing make-up like in "Everybody". Second, I do not think Kevin's part was all that violent. The other girls flying seemed to be helping him. It never actually shows Kevin shoot one of them or anyone for that matter. I think Marilyn Manson's new video where he acts out and/or mocks JFK's assassination is way more violent and negative than Kevin's portion of this video. Finally, I do not think there is any hidden message against the fans; it would not make sense and it would not go with the lyrics of the song. Do not read into it so deeply; it's just a music video. Again I would just like to add that this is a great video and it is going to be one my favorites (not just because I like BSB). Chara:-) From: Kathryn S Richardson [bstreetbabe@mailcity.com] Sent: Monday, September 20, 1999 4:43 PM I just wanted to write and say that "Larger than Life" is an awesome video, but I really dislike the fact that so many people are dissing the Boys, and saying that the video is a dig at the fans. It's entertainment, and for four minutes every weekday afternoon on TRL, I am highly entertained! I love the beginning of the video where they play what seemingly will end up on "Backstreet Boys' Greatest Hits Collection" (and you can bet I'll buy that CD when it's released!). I thought it was cool that since my boy Kevin still dreams of becoming a pilot, it's only fair that he's piloting a spaceship in this video! You fire those missiles, Kevy-Kev! Hey, you don't think he's trying to blow up 'N Sync, do ya (heh-heh-heh)? A.J. looks amazing and Brian looks great riding on that snowboardy contraption, dodging all those asteroids in style. The part where Nick bows down as if he's preparing to karate-chop something is hilarious. I love that wide grin on his face. Howie, wherefore art thou Howie? I love Sweet D, so I was kind of disappointed that his air time was so small, but I relish what I do see of him. The dance scene is cool. I'm starting to master those robotic moves, but I wish I looked as smooth as the Boys when they do them. Practice makes perfect, ya know? Anyway, to those Backstreet bashers out there, don't be so critical of the video and just remember to have fun watching it. I sure do! From: richard ashton [tibbycat@hotmail.com] Sent: Monday, September 20, 1999 2:45 PM I would like to just say something about the reviews on the Larger than life video. I think that people who are dissing the video, or saying that there's a horrible hidden message, should just stop and THINK for a second. The boys have obviously spent a lot of money on this video, for us, to please us, to make us think "cool" or whatever. They took the time to write the song, too. Maybe it is a copy of Backstreet's Back (not intensionally, I'm sure). But then are you seriously saying that you would rather have another boring (don't shoot me) Quit Playing Games, or Anywhere for you, with the guys just walking down a beach or in the rain? Come on, the boys didn't spend all this money to hurt us. They made sure they got a brilliant director, Joseph Khan, and they even got the man back from Backstreet's Back. Compare BSB's videos to the showing off, pathetic, sickening N sync videos, and be thankful that maybe BSB DO care about us, do care about what image they put out to all sorts of people, boys too, not just 8 year old girls who don't care if you can sing or not. So, before you start dissing the video, think of the boys cuz they've only done this video for us, not for anyone else. Please write back to me if you have something to say. Charlotte Ashton, tibbycat@hotmail.com From: DANIEL FLORES [d._flores@gowebway.com] Sent: Sunday, September 19, 1999 7:27 PM Hi, my name is Danee. okay, i'm gonna give my review for the larger than life video. I saw the LTL video on TRL and i have to say . . . . . THAT WAS PRETTY DAMN AWESOME! And this is the best way i can say it. When i saw Kevin controlling the ship, i just could not stop smiling. i loved Brian and the part where he is flying the little flying surfboard. The parts i DID NOT get were Howie's part (i loved the special effects in his room though) and AJ's (why did he have those things stuck to him?!?). But i liked the part when Nick has a robot body and when he sings "lookin' @ the crowd and i see your body sway, c'mon"and it pauses in some parts. Anyway, i thought the dancing was incredible. My comments to Fatima. The only bad thing was that i didn't see the whole video (it was one of those times where they had those interviews with da starz). One more thang. KTBSPA! ! ! From: Jessica Neher [jessnearandfar@yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, September 20, 1999 2:06 AM I REALLY liked this video. I know it didn't have anything to do with thanking the fans, but it was more like a song just for fun. It would've been boring if they just showed a buncha fans. OK. Here's my opinion of Larger Than Life: Brian- I REALLY liked his "surfin". His hair looked kinda funny cuz of the wind, and his suit was kinda weird, but he still was lookin good. I liked his flip on the board- that was really cool. Nick- He actually looked OK. His costume was kinda goofy and the first time I saw his dancin with the robots I almost burst out laughing. It looked funny- It was good, though. Howie- I didn't really get what was goin on here. It seemed like he was just dancin- not real futuristic. Am I missin' somethin' here? AJ- He looked pretty good. So his shirt wasn't the coolest, but who cares?? The tentacles were actually kinda cool. I thought it was neat. Kevin- He was awesome as the fighter pilot! The scar on his forehead was kinda weird and I didn't get why it wasn't on his forehead earlier in the video. Lookin' real good as always! Overall- WOW. I thought this was a really cool way to do the video. I liked how they were playin blips from other BSB songs at the beginning. I liked how they were unfrozen after a thousand years. I especially liked Kevin's little dogfight there in the end. OK. My favorite parts- Kevin pushing buttons in his fighter, Brian's flip, and, of course, the dancing part. Fatima did an amazing job with the choreography. Everything is SOOO on beat- it's incredible! It blew me away the first time i saw it. I think this was a really cool video- something different from the ordinary drag. K. I've droned on enough. KTBSPA!! Jess From: Lons456@aol.com Sent: Sunday, September 19, 1999 10:36 PM Hi, I have read all of the reviews of Larger Than Life and I would like to add mine. Larger Than Life, personally, was not my favourite video. I didnt think there was anything wrong with that. But after having a very heated conversation with another fan who loved the video I realized that I think we should all just chill and lighten up. It's a video. Some like it some dont. Either way I think that whatever you think about it is great. But I think that it is unfair for fans who dont like the video to insult fans who do and vice versa. After all, it IS just a video, nothing more. It doesnt make you any more of a fan if you liked it neither does it make you less of one if you didnt. Being a fan means supporting them, not liking every single thing they release. But basically all I am saying is that it is only a video and therefore shouldnt be the cause of such controversy amongst fans. If you dont like it thats fine and it fine if you do but keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion and we should all respect that. From: Natalia Castro [gcquinte@epm.net.co] Sent: Sunday, September 19, 1999 10:49 PM I've been reading all of your reviews people and I believe whoever didn't like the video simply doesn't want the boys to evolve musically.  I must admit I'm a former anti-BSB because I thought their music was for dumb High School girls (except for "Quit Playing Games" and "Let the music heal your soul".  By the way, sorry if I've hurt anybody's feelings!).  But when the boys released "Millenium" I was completely blown away and since that I just can't get enough of the boys.  Why?  Because their music is edgier and made for a wider audience, and not because they're hot!  I, as an 18 year old film student and music addict, was absolutely in shock with the video.  WOW WOW WOW!!  This video is one of the best I've ever seen (with "Everybody", "Scream" by Michael and Janet, "The kids aren't alright" by offspring, etc).  I can see Joseph Kann being nominated for best direction and the video for best group video.  Now back to the reviews.  What's the deal with finding the so-called "hidden messages"?  Maybe it was j ust a concept.  Maybe it just means they will live forever because of us fans.  Who cares!!!  "Everybody"'s concept didn' t have to do anything with the song, yet it was widely accepted!  And what's with the harsh critics to their outfits, their looks and the number of dancers and their looks!!  "Everybody" had more dancers than LTL and nobody said anything!!   Their outfits perfectly matched the concept of the video and the song-- they were edgy, so is the song, so is the video!!  And about the "Brian looks like a kid with the orange outfit, Nick needs a haircut and looks weird on the video, AJ' shirt is too short... bla bla bla" :  If you really care that much about this things you should ask yourself if you are a real fan.  Liking or not the BSB because of their looks is just like saying that we should not like Aerosmith and the Rolling Stone because their lead singers are not good looking, that Maddona's ability to re-invent herself hasn't help her to survive after all the scandals she was involved in, an d that Prince-or The Artist-, David Bowie and Michael Jackson suck because they are just different from your very stereotyped "pop singer".  All of these artist have survived because of their ability to re-invent themselves and evolve with time.  That's what the BSB are doing and I'm very proud of saying I'm a fan now.   If you have any comments or insults, feel free to e-mail me.  gcquinte@epm.net.co   Natalia From: cjeashaw [cjeashaw@gateway.net] Sent: Sunday, September 19, 1999 6:21 PM Y'all, LTL ROCKS!  This is the best video by BSB ever!  If BSB is trying to expand their fan base, this video is a great vehicle.   Obviously, most of you other BSB fans are not science fiction fans, also.  Well, I am a big science fiction fan, and I love Star Wars and Star Trek The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine.   I am interested in hearing BSB's take on their interpretations of their characters in the video, but I figure that Brian was playing a virtual reality exercise game, AJ (YES!  I could see his beautiful eyes!) was hooked up like Doc Oc (from "Spidey") or was some kind of Borg (from STTNG), Howie was in a holo suite with a bunch of babes, Nick was a droid, and Kevin ruled as a wing commander.   No, this song did not strictly interpret the words (how boring did you want them to be?), but neither did "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)."  C'mon, was that song about monsters?   For those of you who came up with weird interpretations about the meaning of the video...   get real.       The dancing was WAY awesome!  Although I agree that the spaceage moody dark dismal type lighting keeps the viewers from totally checking out our boys hot dance moves, bods, and faces.  And if AJ's shirt looked like he stole it from Boobjob Spears closet, weellll...   He looks a whole lot better in it than she would!   Keep the Backstreet Pride Alive!   from Zeldacat From: SJNJ83@aol.com Sent: Sunday, September 19, 1999 4:21 PM The first time I wrote a review for the LTL video i relized that I had left out some very important things in which I had totally over looked. Here's my intake on all of the guys BRIAN: I've read it before, you've read it before, everyone has read somewhere that Brian is afraid of heights. Judt before he boards onto a plane he rubs his fists together then kisses his fingers and then touches the plane. So then what the deal with him up in the air and flying. Yes I know and so should everyone else relize that Brian wasn't even flying at the time. It was just all one big blue screen, brian was attached to some wires and rest was done with camera work. AJ: The way AJ is percieved by us all and his setting go together every well. I didn't seem to quite understand the capsule thing that he was in. My guess is that what its saying is that as long as we the fans still have a reseason to continue letting the boys have so much success then they will be with us forever. NICK: Okay this Nintendo N64 has gone far enough already. We all know that nick just loves his video games, but did he have to be dressed up like one? Like the make up wasn't bad enough. NICK LAY OFF THE N64 FOR AWHILE OKAY HOWIE: Now what can I say about howie's scene. First of all I wasn't that all impressed with it. You could barely see his mouth moving when the camera turn to him and he was suppose to be sing the chorus with everyone else. That girl who's was with him ( was that his gf?) thought she all that when she started to rub her body on his then looks into the camera a gives yuo this evil smile like she's saying " Haha, I'm rubbing my a** up against howie's leg and your not. KEVIN: I decieded to save the best for last. I must say that Kevin's scene i loved the most. As we all know Kevin recently flew with the Navy Blue Angels and is considering getting his pilots licenses one day. The black leather outfit looked great on him and so did that design on his face. I thought it was cute. There really is much more that I can say for Kevin other then, "WOW WOW WOW" Peace out everyone and KTBSPA Sara Ps. if you have any time and are a Kevin fan then come vist my site Kevin is such a cutie and please sign the guestbook From: Betsy Vandervoort [bsbcookay@ameritech.net] Sent: Sunday, September 19, 1999 3:09 PM Helloooooooo, our names are Cookie and Pinkie!!! We're coming at you with a groovy review of the Larger Than Life video!! Hopefully, Caitlin will put it in..by the way, thanks for putting in my review of the VMA's!!! Pinkie (Laura) and I thought LTL was their best video yet. The affects were great!! My favorite part of the video was when Nick was in his room dancing with all the robots!!! Laura's favorite part was when Brian did his flip on the hover craft thing he was on!! I loved how each of the boys had a part in their own room!! Although, i wish Howie would have had a bigger part in the video. We also love the part when they were doing the dance break!! The moves are so good!! Go Fatima!!! Well thanks for listening to mine and Laura's review of the Larger Than Life video!! Please vote for it everyday on TRL so it can be #1 for 65 days!!! Thanks again!! Lots of love...Cookie and Pinkie! KTBPA and PLKCH Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: cheap oem software OnZh5Q Thanks for all the answers:) In fact, learned a lot of new information. Dut I just didn`t figure out what is what till the end!... Comment on this item. Next Item: Larger Than Life Video Reviews (Part II) Prev Item: Review of the Pearlman Story on CBS' 60-Minutes (II)